Single from double

MariMel

If the is a preservation order on a house meaning the window on the front of a house have to be changed to single glazing in keeping with the area, would this have any baring on a tenancy? Especially as the house will be harder to heat etc and the property is not what the tenant originally moved into.

riclad

You can put in insulation in the attic,in the walls, i presume you can put in pvc,windows and a pvc door at the rear of the house.And it really only gets cold during the winter.Assuming you have a modern heating system, it wont stop you getting a tenant.
I Think its possible to get single glazed windows,with good insulation values,
http://www.slimliteglass.co.uk/

http://www.slimliteglass.co.uk/georgian-sash-a-case-u-value-16.html
IE there are windows made ,in the traditional style that have
good insulation,
i ,ve seen them on tv.
They are designed to fit into old type buildings,cottages
ie look like old style window frames.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?p=47830921

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/publications/eehb-secondary-glazing-windows/eehb-secondary-glazing-windows.pdf

Simply having old type heavy curtains closed at night ,in front of the windows ,helps to
keep in the heat in the winter.
IT S NOT cheap, but you can put in a second window ,on the inside,
to help insulation, as long as the original windows are left there.

riclad

see quote;
s it possible to fit double-glazing in a traditionally-made timber sash window?
Yes. Most timber sash window specialists can make new windows that incorporate sealed, double-glazed units within traditional timber frames. However, the levels of sound and thermal insulation given by double-glazing can often be matched by draught-proofing original windows, by installing secondary glazing or by using thick curtains or internal shutters.

secondary glazing, a second window, frame glass ,a few inches,from the original window,
To look best ,the inside new window should have a similar ,or smaller ,window frame, so that it will be not visible from the outside,
eg front and inside frames,will be aligned,
but that is up to you,what type of window you get on the inside ,of the original window.And how much you wish to spend.

http://www.victoriansociety.org.uk/advice/windows/

ie old frame, will hide the new frame, from external view,
This would be more important on lower ,ground level windows.
it would be hard to see new interior window frames over a certain height ,from ground level.
A landlord ,is entitled to claim tax credits,for repairs, if you have reciepts from
a registered carpenter,glazier etc
say ,you spend 500,euros on windows, you may get tax credits of 100 euro ,for the next 5 years,ON that expense.
Depending on your budget ,you could get 1,or 2 windows fitted ,each year,
in 2 or 3 years, you,d have a new secondary high insulation type, window installed ,in each window frame.

MariMel

Im coming from a tenants point of view.
Double glazing has been replaced with single glazing in a portion of the house. In 2 bedrooms and into the main window for the living/dining room area.
The house is hard enough to heat as is even requiring heaters in the living area in summer.

So what I really want opinions on is
a) my lease is up soon and I dont want to sign another one for a year not knowing how much this change will effect things. Could I ask for a 3 month one so i can see how it goes or would a part 4 be better?
and b) I rented a fully doubled glazed house, not a partial double glazed one. Would it be cheeky to ask for a rent reduction to reflect this and also heavy curtains?

djimi

Just move to a part 4 and see how you get on.

Personally i wouldn't be impressed with this situation. From my experience single glazed windows may as well not be there at all, so I would expect a significant difference in the heating in the house, especially in winter.

riclad

You should ask for heavy curtains for all OR the single glazed windows.Hold on to gas bill s.IF theres a significant rise in heating cost,s ask for a rent reduction.IF landlord puts, in extra insulation, or secondary glazing he can claim tax relief for the cost, over a 8 years,
see
b. Tax Allowable Expenses Allowed over 8 Tax Years
The cost of the fitout of the property e.g. furniture, electrics etc. etc. is allowed for tax purposes over a period of eight years at a rate of 12.5% per annum. This is known as a Wear & Tear Allowance.
TAX SAVING TIP
In addition to the expenses listed above, when you purchase a property it may include certain fixture and fittings, which will qualify for the tax Wear & Tear allowance. This is particularly applicable to new properties and refers to builtin furniture e.g. wardrobes, press units etc. central heating, security systems and sanitary fittings. The cost of all these items should be identified for you by the Vendor and you will be entitled to claim a tax allowance thereon against your rental income over a period of eight years.


Curtains, insulation , new windows would be classified as fixtures
and fittings.
OR maybe consider moving to a place that has pvc windows ,
good ber rating.
I don,t think its cheeky at all, to ask for reduced rent, to reflect increased heating cost.
IF he spends 800 ,on new insulation, he,ll get 100 euro tax credits per year ,
for the next 8 years.

StillWaters

New well fitted single glaze windows can be more effective than old badly fitted double glazed windows, so don't automatically assume your heating bills will rise. Certainly you could ask for heavy thermal lined curtains, but I think a rent reduction would be premature when you don't know the likely impact on your bills.

nhg

The biggest problem with single glazing is the condensation on the windows.